Spring Storm by Fyodor Tyutchev I love a storm in early May
When springtime's boisterous, firstborn thunder
Over the sky will gaily wander
And growl and roar as though in play.
A peal, another - gleeful, cheering...
Rain, raindust... On the trees, behold!-
The drops hang, each a long pearl earring;
Bright sunshine paints the thin threads gold.
A stream downhill goes rushing reckless,
And in the woods the birds rejoice.
Din. Clamour. Noise. All nature echoes
The thunder's youthful, merry voice.
You'll say: 'Tis laughing, carefree Hebe -
She fed her father's eagle, and
The Storm Cup brimming with a seething
And bubbling wine dropped from her hand.
Unlike most people, who see storms as bad and unpleasant experiences, in this poem Tytuchev sees the storm as a joyful expression of nature's childlike energy. Tyutchev says he enjoys spring storms. He associates the sound of the storm, which most associate with anger or danger, with fun childish glee. Tyutchev goes on to describe the beauty of the storm which is lost by many too preoccupied with their umbrellas. He sees the raindrops as jewelry, almost, for the trees, turned into gold by the sunshine. To Tyutchev, nature isn't a stately, aged force but rather as a youthful, boisterous presence.
The last stanza is what gives me the most trouble. Tyutchev changes from first-person to addressing a "you" and then mentions Hebe. Hebe is the greek goddess of youth, which relates back to the central theme of nature as young.Zeus, her father, was represented by an eagle, so maybe that's what the second line is referring to. However, the last few lines really confuse me. I'm not sure what Tyutchev is referring to with the wine glass, and the line about "bubblign wine dropped from her hand" almost suggests her death.
Problème by Fyodor Tyutchev
Having rolled done a mountain, a rock lies in a valley. -
Why did it fall? Nowadays no one knows -
Did it break off from the heights of its own accord,
Or was it hurled down by an external will?
Century after century has gone by:
Still no one has resolved this question! In this short poem, Tyutchev appears to be examining some issues that he's had in his personal life. The rock which has rolled down the mountain is the source of many questions for Tyutchev. He wants to know why it fell - did someone throw it or did the rock decide to throw itself down the cliff. Ultimately, Tyutchev can't find the answer to his question of why the rock fell, much like how he is unable to understand why his relationship with a woman he was in love with ended. Did she end it because she didn't care for him anymore, or because her parents wanted her to marry someone else? The rock and Tyutchev's failed relationship share the same themes. Untitled by Fydor Tyutchev, translated by Vladimir Nabokov
1 My soul would like to be a star - He wants his soul to represent something else, bigger and more significant than what it is now
2 not at midnight
He doesn't want to be a star at midnight when it is darkest. This confuses me a bit, because that would be when the stars are the brightest. Wouldn't he want his soul to be bright?
3 when these luminaries, like eager eyes,
He associates stars with light and intelligence - "eager eyes" seems to indicate curiosity and interest
4 peer at the drowsy earth -
At night, earth seems sleepy - but since in line 2 he says "not at night" I think he's not assuming the world (or Russia, his home) is asleep. Rather, he feels that earth is sleepy, not able to recognize the wonder of everything around it. The stars who look down on earth from a different perspective with "eager eyes" are able to notice and appreciate things that people on earth overlook
5 but in the day-time when veiled
During the day, we can't see the stars, they are hidden and unnoticed - this is what Tyutchev wants his soul to be like. Always there, but unseen, silently observing the world.
6 by the burning rays of the sun as if by smoke
The brightness of the sun overwhelms the light of the stars, obscuring them from view. Does this symbolize something of religious significance? Maybe the sun represents God, and Tyutchev doesn't want his soul to overpower it.
7 they glow like pale divinities
In the day-time, the stars glow slightly, and this is what Tyutchev wants for his soul - a subtle presence in his life. This made me think of the story in the bible about not being a hypocrite in prayer, but rather, praying quietly at home. Maybe Tyutchev thinks that religion/spirituality should be a personal, private experience that isn't to be witnessed by others.
8 in the pure and invisible ether
Religion/Tytuchev's beliefs are pure by virtue of being unseen. When other people see them, they influence his beliefs. Maybe this is why he wants to keep his soul/religious life private, to keep it personal and individualized?
SIlentium by Fyodor Tyutchev, translated by Vladimir Nabokov 1 Speak not, lie hidden, and concealTyutchev again focuses on private introspection. I've read that this poem, when read in Russian, sounds better when read silently than when spoken aloud (it doesn't work for the English translation). This reinforces Tyutchev's theme of silent reflection and personal thought, which I thought was pretty cool. 2 the way you dream, the things you feel.Again, the emphasis is placed on inner feelings and emotions rather than external experiences. 3 Deep in your spirit let them riseTytutchev wants the reader to experience these inner thoughts and allow them to come forth rather than pushing them down 4 akin to stars in crystal skiesThis translation, while it's recognized as one of the best translations of Tyutchev, is often criticized by Russians who say that it doesn't accurately express the depth of the poem. This lines is one of the ones cited. Apparently, in Russian, this phrase has multiple meanings along with sounding particularly pleasant to the ear. 5 that set before the night blurred:Don't let the outside world change or "blur" how you look upon your internal thoughts. 6 delight in them and speak no word.Find inner joy in your feelings, but don't share them with others. 7 How can a heart expression find?How does one read and understand their emotions? Inevitably, it's tarnished by our understanding and teaching that we get from others; it is no longer a pure, personal experience but one that is informed by the thoughts and opinions of our peers and teachers. 8 How should another know your mind?Again, like line 7, this brings up the question of how we understand ourselves. 9 Will he discern what quickens you?The way others look at our thoughts and feelings once we express them is doomed to fall short. They don't know the experiences and beliefs that inform our minds and lead us to feel or think in a certain way. 10 A thought once uttered is untrue.Once we express our feelings, they lose the essence of when they were just thoughts, because language is, by definition, limited. As a poet, Tyutchev is acutely aware of the shortcomings of words and language. Some feelings and images are simply unable to be expressed. Words don't do enough. This is especially interesting since this is a translated poem. Language is doubly limiting since the translator has to find a way to transmit the intricacies and subtleties of one language into another. Obviously, Tyutchev wasn't thinking of this at the time, but I think it's an interesting thing to think about as I read differing translations of the same poem. 11 Dimmed is the fountainhead when stirred:When we share our thoughts aloud, we disrupt them, and change them. 12 drink at the source and speak no word.Instead, Tyutchev thinks we should reflect without speaking - like the title of the poem, and the fact that the poem sounds better read silently than aloud, Tyutchev is reinforcing his belief that silent reflection is the best way to understand oneself. 13 Live in your inner self alone:Don't share your thoughts with others, and don't let others change the way you think. 14 within your soul a world has grown,Your life has led to a unique understanding that only you can fully experience. Any other's attempt to explain it is worthless, since there's no way they fully understand what makes you act the way you do. 15 the magic of veiled thoughts that mightInternal reflection is safe when protected and unshared. 16 be blinded by the outer light,Don't let others change your views or how you look at the world. That blinds you from how you really feel about things. 17 drowned in the noise of day, unheard...The loudness of society and civilization silence our internal thoughts by trying to influence and mold us into their vision of what we should be. This is why silence is important and must be valued. 18 take in their song and speak no word.Tyutchev wants you to reflect without sharing on your feelings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJGX76Py1Mo
Spring Storm by Fyodor Tyutchev
I love a storm in early May
When springtime's boisterous, firstborn thunder
Over the sky will gaily wander
And growl and roar as though in play.
A peal, another - gleeful, cheering...
Rain, raindust... On the trees, behold!-
The drops hang, each a long pearl earring;
Bright sunshine paints the thin threads gold.
A stream downhill goes rushing reckless,
And in the woods the birds rejoice.
Din. Clamour. Noise. All nature echoes
The thunder's youthful, merry voice.
You'll say: 'Tis laughing, carefree Hebe -
She fed her father's eagle, and
The Storm Cup brimming with a seething
And bubbling wine dropped from her hand.
Unlike most people, who see storms as bad and unpleasant experiences, in this poem Tytuchev sees the storm as a joyful expression of nature's childlike energy. Tyutchev says he enjoys spring storms. He associates the sound of the storm, which most associate with anger or danger, with fun childish glee. Tyutchev goes on to describe the beauty of the storm which is lost by many too preoccupied with their umbrellas. He sees the raindrops as jewelry, almost, for the trees, turned into gold by the sunshine. To Tyutchev, nature isn't a stately, aged force but rather as a youthful, boisterous presence.
The last stanza is what gives me the most trouble. Tyutchev changes from first-person to addressing a "you" and then mentions Hebe. Hebe is the greek goddess of youth, which relates back to the central theme of nature as young.Zeus, her father, was represented by an eagle, so maybe that's what the second line is referring to. However, the last few lines really confuse me. I'm not sure what Tyutchev is referring to with the wine glass, and the line about "bubblign wine dropped from her hand" almost suggests her death.
Problème by Fyodor Tyutchev
Having rolled done a mountain, a rock lies in a valley. -
Why did it fall? Nowadays no one knows -
Did it break off from the heights of its own accord,
Or was it hurled down by an external will?
Century after century has gone by:
Still no one has resolved this question!
In this short poem, Tyutchev appears to be examining some issues that he's had in his personal life. The rock which has rolled down the mountain is the source of many questions for Tyutchev. He wants to know why it fell - did someone throw it or did the rock decide to throw itself down the cliff. Ultimately, Tyutchev can't find the answer to his question of why the rock fell, much like how he is unable to understand why his relationship with a woman he was in love with ended. Did she end it because she didn't care for him anymore, or because her parents wanted her to marry someone else? The rock and Tyutchev's failed relationship share the same themes.
Untitled by Fydor Tyutchev, translated by Vladimir Nabokov
1 My soul would like to be a star -
He wants his soul to represent something else, bigger and more significant than what it is now
2 not at midnight
He doesn't want to be a star at midnight when it is darkest. This confuses me a bit, because that would be when the stars are the brightest. Wouldn't he want his soul to be bright?
3 when these luminaries, like eager eyes,
He associates stars with light and intelligence - "eager eyes" seems to indicate curiosity and interest
4 peer at the drowsy earth -
At night, earth seems sleepy - but since in line 2 he says "not at night" I think he's not assuming the world (or Russia, his home) is asleep. Rather, he feels that earth is sleepy, not able to recognize the wonder of everything around it. The stars who look down on earth from a different perspective with "eager eyes" are able to notice and appreciate things that people on earth overlook
5 but in the day-time when veiled
During the day, we can't see the stars, they are hidden and unnoticed - this is what Tyutchev wants his soul to be like. Always there, but unseen, silently observing the world.
6 by the burning rays of the sun as if by smoke
The brightness of the sun overwhelms the light of the stars, obscuring them from view. Does this symbolize something of religious significance? Maybe the sun represents God, and Tyutchev doesn't want his soul to overpower it.
7 they glow like pale divinities
In the day-time, the stars glow slightly, and this is what Tyutchev wants for his soul - a subtle presence in his life. This made me think of the story in the bible about not being a hypocrite in prayer, but rather, praying quietly at home. Maybe Tyutchev thinks that religion/spirituality should be a personal, private experience that isn't to be witnessed by others.
8 in the pure and invisible ether
Religion/Tytuchev's beliefs are pure by virtue of being unseen. When other people see them, they influence his beliefs. Maybe this is why he wants to keep his soul/religious life private, to keep it personal and individualized?
SIlentium by Fyodor Tyutchev, translated by Vladimir Nabokov
1 Speak not, lie hidden, and concealTyutchev again focuses on private introspection. I've read that this poem, when read in Russian, sounds better when read silently than when spoken aloud (it doesn't work for the English translation). This reinforces Tyutchev's theme of silent reflection and personal thought, which I thought was pretty cool.
2 the way you dream, the things you feel.Again, the emphasis is placed on inner feelings and emotions rather than external experiences.
3 Deep in your spirit let them riseTytutchev wants the reader to experience these inner thoughts and allow them to come forth rather than pushing them down
4 akin to stars in crystal skiesThis translation, while it's recognized as one of the best translations of Tyutchev, is often criticized by Russians who say that it doesn't accurately express the depth of the poem. This lines is one of the ones cited. Apparently, in Russian, this phrase has multiple meanings along with sounding particularly pleasant to the ear.
5 that set before the night blurred:Don't let the outside world change or "blur" how you look upon your internal thoughts.
6 delight in them and speak no word.Find inner joy in your feelings, but don't share them with others.
7 How can a heart expression find?How does one read and understand their emotions? Inevitably, it's tarnished by our understanding and teaching that we get from others; it is no longer a pure, personal experience but one that is informed by the thoughts and opinions of our peers and teachers.
8 How should another know your mind?Again, like line 7, this brings up the question of how we understand ourselves.
9 Will he discern what quickens you?The way others look at our thoughts and feelings once we express them is doomed to fall short. They don't know the experiences and beliefs that inform our minds and lead us to feel or think in a certain way.
10 A thought once uttered is untrue.Once we express our feelings, they lose the essence of when they were just thoughts, because language is, by definition, limited. As a poet, Tyutchev is acutely aware of the shortcomings of words and language. Some feelings and images are simply unable to be expressed. Words don't do enough. This is especially interesting since this is a translated poem. Language is doubly limiting since the translator has to find a way to transmit the intricacies and subtleties of one language into another. Obviously, Tyutchev wasn't thinking of this at the time, but I think it's an interesting thing to think about as I read differing translations of the same poem.
11 Dimmed is the fountainhead when stirred:When we share our thoughts aloud, we disrupt them, and change them.
12 drink at the source and speak no word.Instead, Tyutchev thinks we should reflect without speaking - like the title of the poem, and the fact that the poem sounds better read silently than aloud, Tyutchev is reinforcing his belief that silent reflection is the best way to understand oneself.
13 Live in your inner self alone:Don't share your thoughts with others, and don't let others change the way you think.
14 within your soul a world has grown,Your life has led to a unique understanding that only you can fully experience. Any other's attempt to explain it is worthless, since there's no way they fully understand what makes you act the way you do.
15 the magic of veiled thoughts that mightInternal reflection is safe when protected and unshared.
16 be blinded by the outer light,Don't let others change your views or how you look at the world. That blinds you from how you really feel about things.
17 drowned in the noise of day, unheard...The loudness of society and civilization silence our internal thoughts by trying to influence and mold us into their vision of what we should be. This is why silence is important and must be valued.
18 take in their song and speak no word.Tyutchev wants you to reflect without sharing on your feelings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJGX76Py1Mo